Gabon has embarked on a significant overhaul of its public services by formally decoupling the management of water and electricity. On June 25, 2026, the Council of Ministers officially approved two legislative proposals, leading to the establishment of ”Gabonaise des Eaux” and ”Électricité du Gabon”. These newly formed mixed-economy companies will assume responsibility for potable water supply and electricity distribution, respectively.
This decision marks a definitive departure from the integrated operational model previously employed by the Société d’énergie et d’eau du Gabon (SEEG), signaling a strategic pivot towards specialization. Under this new structure, each operator will now possess a distinctly defined scope of action, accompanied by clearer accountability. Such an organizational framework is designed to facilitate crucial investments and enhance the overall quality of services provided. Gabon’s approach aligns with a growing trend observed across the African continent. In Sénégal, for instance, water management is entrusted to Sen’Eau, while Senelec oversees electricity. Similarly, in Côte d’Ivoire, SODECI manages water, and CIE handles electricity. Morocco’s ONEE also distinguishes between these two essential activities through autonomous branches, a method proven to optimize financial oversight and investment strategies.
Across various nations where this specialized model has been implemented, it has consistently led to clearer lines of responsibility, strengthened the governance of utility operators, and fostered a more conducive environment for the sustained improvement of services for consumers. For the former SEEG operations, this reorganization is anticipated to yield similar positive outcomes, fostering optimism that the management of these two new entities will surpass the challenges faced under the previous structure.
